CHIAROSCURO

Layra were formed in Rome in 2005, influenced by Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, Marillion, Porcupine Tree and Italian melody. Their d'but album, titled 'Chiaroscuro', was self-released in 2008 and, according to the band, all the songs have a common thread: the alternation of shadows and light. Despite the ambitious concept, I think that this is a still immature work featuring straightforward pieces of melodic rock veined by mild progressive influences. The potential of the musicians and their song-writing skills here are still unexpressed and they almost seem to look for a boldness that never comes as in 'Un'altra luna' (a track inspired by the life of Vincent Van Gogh), 'Nessun destino' (inspired by the film 'Donnie Darko) or 'Il grande imbroglio' (inspired by what happened in New York on September 11, 2001). Of course, you can find here some good ideas that every now and again shine like lights in the dark but it's not enough and, on the whole, this album fails to strike a chord on me. Anyway, they will do better in the future!